Android Has More Loyal Users Than iOS

The debate of Android vs iOS always seems to reach an impasse. At the end of the day, comparing an iPhone X to a Galaxy S9 is like comparing apples and oranges. However, loyalty towards a smartphone or a platform can be measured and compared. A study has done exactly that and conceded that Android users are more loyal than iOS users.

A new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has claimed that Android users do not switch to iPhones as frequently as they used to. The study has found out that Android has a 91% loyalty rate, compared with 86% for iOS. This is measured as the percentage of U.S. customers who retained their OS platform when they upgraded their smartphones in 2017.

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Mike Levin, partner and co-founder of CIRP explains:

With only two mobile operating systems at this point, it appears users now pick one, learn it, invest in apps and storage, and stick with it. Now, Apple and Google need to figure out how to sell products and services to these loyal customer bases.

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It is worth noting that the rate of switching is different from the total number of people switching. Levin said:

We know Android has a larger base of users than iOS, and because of that larger base, the absolute number of users that switch to iOS from Android is as large or larger than the absolute number of users that switch to Android from iOS.

Looking at the absolute number of users in this way tends to support claims that iOS gains more former Android users, than Android does former iOS users.

This has become more obvious than ever. With the dwindling popularity of BlackBerry and feature phones a thing of past, Android and iOS are the only players left in the OS game. This explains the two companies’ behaviour as well. As smartphones now reach a saturation point, services these companies provide will play a major role in influencing consumer behaviour.

That somehow explains the Apple HomePod. From the outside, the HomePod seems like an absurd smart speaker which can’t even connect to an iOS device. However, Apple is pushing its services to people who want a really good sounding smart speaker. With time, Apple will rely heavily on services for major revenue generation, services like Apple Music.

For Android users, brand loyalty is evident thanks to the array of devices available. Users can move from one device to another and pick up from exactly where they left off. There are definitely more options to choose from for Android users which means they can get a better experience from a new device without changing their services.

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However, it is worth noting that iOS was once the more loyal platform. Back in 2013, iPhone users were more loyal than Android users. But, ever since then, the loyalty of Android users has been on a rise.

Conclusion

With smartphones becoming more or less the same, at least in the flagship category, it seems like people have picked their preferred OS. Now, it is up to Google and Apple to maintain that customer base and keep innovating to provide more options to users part of their ecosystem. As for the debate of iOS vs Android, it will continue on for a long period of time.